QAAF president, HE Dahlan Al-Hamad, president of the high Organizing Committee of Qatar Super Grand Prix expressed his warm welcomes to athletes and coaches participating in the present Qatar Athletics Super Grand Prix. He confirmed that the organizing committee has arranged suitable atmosphere for all participants to enjoy fair competitions. Moreover, HE Dahlan Al-Hamad shed lights on the huge support and care presented by HH the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani and HH the Heir Apparent Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani. QAAF President said Qatar Athletics Super Grand Prix attracts the attention of many sport circles in the world, because it is the only series of IAAF grand prix organized outside Europe.

On Qatar’s participation, HE Dahlan Al-Hamad, emphasized that the Qatari participation will not be limited to organizing this international event, but, rather, will be clear in terms of competitions through Qatar’s athletics stars in various events. Qatari athletes will compete in 12 events. It is worth notice that last year version witnessed a Qatari participation in only 10 athletes in 6 events, therefore, the present participation percentage marks a higher development in this regard. Samuel Francis of Qatar is going to take part in this international event, as he is Qatar’s champion who holds the Asian record in the 100 m (9.99s) and the 6th best world ranking order in the 100m event during 2007. In addition, the athlete Arif Ibrahim Bandar will compete for Qatar to guarantee some good results.

In the 800m event, two athletes will represent Qatar; Adam Ali and Mus’ab Abdulrahman, while in the 200m event Samuel Francis will compete representing Qatar. Moreover, Thamir Ali (gold medal winner in the 3rd Asian Indoor Championship-Doha) and Ali Kamal will represent Qatar in the 1500m event. While Saif Shaeen will not participate in the current Grand Prix, two Qatari athletes will represent Qatar in the 3000m steeplechase, James Quwela and Felix Kibora among other 13 Kenyan athletes. The 110m hurdles event will also witness a Qatari participation through Mohamed Eisa Althawdi competing against 4 American athletes, one form Canada and one from the United Kingdom.

The 400m hurdles will include Qatar’s Mubarek Faraj Alnoubi, while in the 3000m event other Qatari athletes will take part; Abubaker Ali and Mustafa Ahmed. The triple jump event, on the other hand, will witness the participation of Qatar’s Babaker Ibrahim and Abdulaziz Al-Hamadi, while Rashid Aldosari and Ahmed Deeb will represent Qatar in the discus throw event. Finally, twenty athletes in 12 events except the javelin event will represent the other Arab and GCC participations.

At the end of his welcoming words, QAAF president thanked all attendees and wished and participants the best of luck and success in achieving records, especially those aspire to take part in the coming Olympic Games-Beijing 2008.